Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade and ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil

ABSTRACT

An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade and an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade has a non-conductive planar member with opposing planar sides, a cutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end, first active and return electrodes located on one opposing planar side, and second active and return electrodes located on the other opposing planar side.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade and an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil which usemonopolar energy in a bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation. Theultrapolar electrosurgery blade has a non-conductive planar member withfirst and second opposite planar sides, a cutting end, and an oppositenon-cutting end, a first active electrode and a first return electrodeboth located on the first opposite planar side of the non-conductiveplanar member, and a second active electrode and a second returnelectrode both located on the second opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrosurgery uses an RF electrosurgical generator (also known as anelectrosurgical unit or ESU) and a handpiece with an electrode toprovide high frequency, alternating radio frequency (RF) current inputat various voltages to cut or coagulate biological tissue. The handpiecemay be a monopolar instrument with one electrode or a bipolar instrumentwith two electrodes. When using a monpolar instrument, a returnelectrode pad is attached to the patient and the high frequencyelectrical current flows from the generator, to the monopolarinstrument, through the patient to the patient return electrode pad, andback to the generator. Monopolar electrosurgery is commonly used due toits versatility and effectiveness. However, the excessive heat generatedwith monopolar electrosurgery can cause excessive tissue damage andnecrosis of the tissue because the return electrode positioned on theback of the patient causes high voltage and high RF energy to passthrough the patient.

In bipolar electrosurgery, active output and patient return functionsboth occur at the surgery site because both the active and returnelectrodes are contained in the bipolar instrument. Therefore, the pathof the electrical current is confined to the biological tissue locatedbetween the active and return electrodes. Although bipolarelectrosurgery enables the use of lower voltages and less energy andthereby reduces or eliminates the likelihood of tissue damage andsparking associated with monopolar electrosurgery, it has limitedability to cut and coagulate large bleeding areas.

Accordingly, there is a need for an electrosurgery blade that allows forboth cutting and coagulation of large areas of tissue without the tissuedamage and which eliminates passing of energy through the patient. Anultrapolar electrosurgery blade having a sharp cutting edge and bothactive and return electrodes positioned on opposing sides of theelectrosurgery blade would meet this need. The ultrapolar electrosurgeryblades with a sharp cutting edge and active and return electrodespositioned on both opposing sides of the electrosurgery blade describedwith reference to the present invention could be used with anelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil that does not have smoke evacuationcapability but they are also intended to be used with an electrosurgerypencil/handpiece that is capable of smoke evacuation during theelectrosurgery procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an ultrapolar electrosurgery bladewhich includes a non-conductive planar member having first and secondopposite planar sides, a cutting end, and a non-cutting end, firstactive and return electrodes each located on the first opposite planarside wherein at least a portion of the first opposite planar side isexposed near the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member, andsecond active and return electrodes each located on the second oppositeplanar side wherein at least a portion of the second opposite planarside is exposed near the cutting end of the non-conductive planarmember. In one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade of the present invention, the first active electrode located onthe first planar side mirrors at least a portion of the second returnelectrode located on the second planar side and the first returnelectrode located on the first planar side mirrors at least a portion ofthe second active electrode located on the second planar side.

The non-conductive planar member may comprise a ceramic and the firstand second active electrodes and the first and second return electrodesmay comprise a stainless steel, a copper, and/or a tungsten. In anotherexemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of thepresent invention, the first and second active electrodes and the firstand second return electrodes may each take the form of an elongatedconductive layer that extends more than half the length of thenon-conductive planar member. At least a portion of the elongatedconductive layer of the first active electrode may extend to, and alonga partial length of, one or more of the opposing elongated edges of thefirst opposite planar side and at least a portion of the elongatedconductive layer of the first return electrode may extend to, and alonga partial length of, one or more opposing elongated edges of the firstopposite planar side.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade of the present invention, at least a portion of the elongatedconductive layer of the second return electrode on the second oppositeplanar side of the non-conductive planar member mirrors at least aportion of the elongated conductive layer of the first active electrodeon the first opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar memberand at least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the secondactive electrode on the second opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member mirrors at least a portion of the elongatedconductive layer of the first return electrode on the first oppositeplanar side of the non-conductive planar member.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade of the present invention, the ultrapolar electrosurgery bladeincludes a non-conductive planar member having first and second oppositeplanar sides with opposing elongated edges, a cutting end, and anopposite non-cutting end, a first active electrode having a hook-shapedconfiguration located on the first opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member, a first return electrode having abar-shaped configuration with at least a portion of the first returnelectrode positioned within the hook-shaped configuration of the firstactive electrode without touching the first active electrode, a secondreturn electrode having a hook-shaped configuration located on thesecond opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member, and asecond active electrode having a bar-shaped configuration with at leasta portion of the second active electrode positioned within thehook-shaped configuration of the second return electrode withouttouching the second return electrode. The hook-shaped configuration ofthe first active electrode and the second return electrode may belocated near the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member withoutcovering at least a portion of the first and second opposite planarsides located near the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member.At least a portion of the hook-shaped configuration of the first activeelectrode located on the first opposite planar side may mirror at leasta portion of the hook-shaped configuration of the second returnelectrode located on the second opposite planar side and at least aportion of the bar-shaped configuration of the first return electrodemay mirror at least a portion of the bar-shaped configuration of thesecond active electrode. The non-conductive planar member may comprise aceramic and the first and second active electrodes and the first andsecond return electrodes may comprise a stainless steel, a copper,and/or a tungsten.

The first active electrode may take the form of a hook-shaped conductivelayer where at least a portion of the hook-shaped conductive layerextends to, and along a partial length of, the opposing elongated edgesof the first opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar memberand the first return electrode may take the form of a bar-shapedconductive layer where at least a portion of the bar-shaped conductivelayer extends to, and along a partial length of, one of the opposingelongated edges of the first opposite planar side of the non-conductiveplanar member. Similarly, the second return electrode may take the formof a hook-shaped conductive layer where at least a portion of thehook-shaped conductive layer extends to, and along a partial length of,the opposing elongated edges of the second opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member and the second active electrode may takethe form of a bar-shaped conductive layer where at least a portion ofthe bar-shaped conductive layer extends to, and along a partial lengthof, one of the opposing elongated edges of the second opposite planarside of the non-conductive planar member.

Further, a portion of the first and second active electrodes and aportion of the first and second return electrodes may extend to theopposite non-cutting end of the non-conductive planar member. Theultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention may furthercomprise a first conductive insert member in communication with both thefirst active electrode and second active electrode located near thenon-cutting end of the non-conductive planar member and a secondconductive insert member in communication with both the first returnelectrode and the second return electrode located near the non-cuttingend of the non-conductive planar member. The first and second conductiveinserts may each comprise a metal contact member that is made of brassand/or copper.

The present invention is also directed to an ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil having a handpiece with a first and second end and anelectrosurgery blade positioned in the first end of the handpiece wherethe electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive planar member havingfirst and second opposite planar sides, a cutting end, and an oppositenon-cutting end, first active and return electrodes located on the firstopposite planar side where at least a portion of the first oppositeplanar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end of thenon-conductive planar member, and second active and return electrodeslocated on the second opposite planar side where at least a portion ofthe second opposite planar side is exposed near the non-conductivecutting end of the non-conductive planar member. The handpiece mayfurther comprise a smoke evacuation channel contained therein forevacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site during activation ofthe electrosurgery pencil. In addition, the handpiece may furthercomprise at least one activation button for cutting and at least oneactivation button for coagulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an opposite side view of the exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention shown in FIG. 1with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade in FIG. 1 shown rotated 180degrees;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of FIGS. 1and 3 showing one exemplary embodiment of a support member for retainingthe ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention so that theconductive inserts in communication with the active and returnelectrodes of the electrosurgery blade can be easily inserted into anelectrosurgery pencil;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention shown in FIG.1; and

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of anultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade and theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of the present invention enable a useror surgeon to perform cutting with the sharp non-conductive tip of theelectrosurgery blade as well as coagulation of large areas of biologicaltissue with the electrosurgery blade by placing the electrosurgery bladeon either of its sides where both active and return electrodes arelocated. The electrosurgery blade and electrosurgery pencil of thepresent invention may also perform cutting with the active and returnelectrodes of the electrosurgery blade. Exemplary embodiments of theultrapolar electrosurgery blade and the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencilof the present invention include an electrosurgery blade that has anon-conductive planar member with opposite planar sides, a cutting end,and a non-cutting end, first active and return electrodes each locatedon one opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member, andsecond active and return electrodes each positioned on the otheropposite planar side of the non-conductive return electrode. The cuttingend of the non-conductive planar member can form a sharp non-conductivecutting end for cutting biological tissue while the active and returnelectrodes located on each side of the non-conductive planar member canbe used to perform coagulation as well as cutting of biological tissue.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show opposing side views of an exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of the present invention whichincludes a non-conductive planar member 12 having first and secondopposite planar sides 14 (see FIG. 1), 16 (see FIG. 2) with opposingelongated edges 18, a cutting end 20, and an opposite non-cutting end22, a first active electrode 24 and a first return electrode 28 eachlocated on the first opposite planar side 14 of the non-conductiveplanar member 12 wherein at least a portion of the first opposite planarside 14 is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 20 of thenon-conductive planar member 12, and a second active electrode 44 and asecond return electrode 38 each located on the second opposite planarside 16 of the non-conductive planar member 12 wherein at least aportion of the second opposite planar side 16 is exposed near thenon-conductive cutting end 20 of the non-conductive planar member 12.First and second active electrodes 24, 44 and first and second returnelectrodes 28, 38 may each take the form of an elongated conductivelayer that extends more than half the length of the non-conductiveplanar member 12.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, at least aportion of the first active electrode 24 and at least a portion of thefirst return electrode 28 may extend to, and along a partial length of,at least one of the opposing elongated edges 18 of the first oppositeplanar side 14 of the non-conductive planar member 12. Further, at leasta portion of the second return electrode 38 may extend to, and along apartial length of, at least one of the opposing elongated edges 18 ofthe second opposite planar side 16 of the non-conductive planar member12. As further shown in the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, at least a portion of thefirst active electrode 24 located on the first opposite planar side 14may mirror at least a portion of the second return electrode 38 locatedon the second opposite planar side 16 and at least a portion of thefirst return electrode 28 located on the first opposite planar side 14may mirror at least a portion of the second active electrode 44 locatedon the second opposite planar side 16. Moreover, the first activeelectrode 24 may include a hook-shaped configuration 26 and the firstreturn electrode 28 may include a bar-shaped configuration 30 where atleast a portion of the bar-shaped configuration 30 of the first returnelectrode 28 is positioned within the hook-shaped configuration 26 ofthe first active electrode 24. In addition, the second return electrode38 may include a hook-shaped configuration 40 and the second activeelectrode 44 may include a bar-shaped configuration 46 where at least aportion of the bar-shaped configuration 46 of the second activeelectrode 44 is positioned within the hook-shaped configuration 40 ofthe second return electrode 38.

The non-conductive planar member 12 may comprises a ceramic which canalso form a sharp cutting end 20. First and second active electrodes 24,44 and first and second return electrodes 28, 38 may comprise at leastone of stainless steel, copper, and/or tungsten. The hook-shapedconfiguration 26 of the first active electrode 24 and the hook-shapedconfiguration 40 of the second return electrode 38 may be located nearcutting end 20 of non-conductive planar member 12 while still enablingat least a portion of the first and second opposite sides 14, 16 of thenon-conductive planar member 12 to be exposed near the non-conductivecutting end 20. This enables precise cutting to be performed with thesharp non-conductive cutting end 20 of the ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade 10.

Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 may also include a support member 31which may take the form of a variety of configurations as long as it iscapable of supporting the non-conductive planar member 12 and itsassociated active and return electrodes so that the ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade 10 may be easily connected to an instrument such asan electrosurgery pencil. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 may alsoinclude a first conductive insert member 50 that is in communicationwith the first active electrode 24 and the second active electrode 44near the opposite non-cutting end 22 of the non-conductive planar member12 and a second conductive insert member 52 that is in communicationwith the first return electrode 28 and the second return electrode 38near the opposite non-cutting end 22 of the non-conductive planar member12.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of thepresent invention with the non-conductive planar member 12 shown inphantom within the support member 31. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 which shows non-conductive planar member12 and first active electrode 24 and first return electrode 28 locatedon one side (first opposite planar side 14) of non-conductive planarmember 12 and second active electrode 44 and second return electrode 38located on the other side (second opposite planar side 16) ofnon-conductive planar member 12. As shown in FIG. 4, there are twoportions of first active electrode 24 shown on one side ofnon-conductive planar member 12 and two portions of second returnelectrode 38 shown on the other side of non-conductive planar member 12due to where the cross-section was taken. FIG. 5 shown anothercross-section of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of the presentinvention taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows one portion offirst active electrode 24 and one portion of first return electrode 28on one side of non-conductive planar member 12 and one portion of secondactive electrode 44 and one portion of second return electrode 38 on theother side of non-conductive planar member 12. FIG. 6 is across-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 which showsnon-conductive planar member 12 along with first and second activeelectrodes 24, 44 and first and second return electrodes 28, 38suspended within support member 31. FIG. 6 also shows first conductiveinsert member 50 of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 in communicationwith first and second active electrodes 24, 44 and second conductiveinsert member 52 of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 in communicationwith first and second return electrodes 28, 38.

An end view of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of FIGS. 1 and 3showing one exemplary embodiment of a support member 31 for retainingthe ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of the present invention so thatthe conductive inserts 50, 52 in communication with the active andreturn electrodes 24, 44, 28, 38 of the electrosurgery blade 10 can beeasily inserted into an instrument such as an electrosurgery pencil. Injust one exemplary embodiment, support member 31 may take the form of ahollow cylindrical member 60 having a non-conductive insert member 62with conductive tubular members 64, 66 into which first and secondconductive insert members 50, 52 can be placed. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the support member for retaining theultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of the present invention may take anynumber of forms or configurations.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 of the present invention shown inFIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the active and return electrodes ofthe blade are placed on opposite planar sides of the non-conductiveplanar member 12 with the top of non-conductive planar member 12remaining non-conductive and free of electrodes.

A side cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil 70 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9.Ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 70 includes a handpiece 72 having afirst end 74 and a second 76, and an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10positioned within the first end 74 of the handpiece. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade 10 shown in FIG. 9 is like the blade 10 shown inFIGS. 1-3. Conductive wires 80, 82 connect the first and secondconductive insert members 50, 52 to the circuit board which enables atleast one activation button 86 for cutting and at least one activationbutton 88 for coagulation. Handpiece 72 may include a smoke evacuationchannel 71 to enable evacuation of smoke and/or debris form the surgicalsite when performing cutting and/or coagulation.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventionherein shows various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Theseexemplary embodiments and modes are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following disclosure is intended toteach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes andany equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to thosereasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included examples arenon-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, whichsimilarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments thatare known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art.

Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used inthe practice of the instant invention, in addition to those notspecifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters,or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of theinstant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.

Unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant's intent that the wordsand phrases in the specification and the claims be given the commonlyaccepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaning used bythose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instance wherethese meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specification andthe claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning. Ifany other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, thespecification will clearly state and define the special meaning.

1. An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade comprising: a non-conductiveplanar member having first and second opposite planar sides; a cuttingend, and an opposite non-cutting end; a first active electrode and afirst return electrode each located on the first opposite planar side ofthe non-conductive planar member wherein at least a portion of the firstopposite planar side is exposed near the cutting end of thenon-conductive planar member; and a second active electrode and a secondreturn electrode each located on the second opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member wherein at least a portion of the secondopposite planar side is exposed near the cutting end of thenon-conductive planar member.
 2. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade ofclaim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first active electrode locatedon the first opposite planar side mirrors at least a portion of thesecond return electrode located on the second opposite planar side andat least a portion of the first return electrode on the first oppositeplanar side mirrors at least a portion of the second active electrode onthe second opposite planar side.
 3. The ultrapolar electrosurgery bladeof claim 1 wherein the non-conductive planar member comprises a ceramic.4. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 1 wherein the first andsecond active electrodes and the first and second return electrodes eachcomprise at least one of a stainless steel, a copper, and a tungsten. 5.The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 1 wherein the first activeelectrode, the first return electrode, the second active electrode, andthe second return electrode each comprise an elongated conductive layerthat extends more than half the length of the non-conductive planarmember.
 6. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 5 wherein atleast a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the first activeelectrode extends to, and along a partial length of, at least one of theopposing elongated edges of the first opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member.
 7. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade ofclaim 5 wherein at least a portion of the elongated conductive layer ofthe first return electrode extends to, and along a partial length of, atleast one of the opposing elongated edges of the first opposite planarside of the non-conductive planar member.
 8. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of theelongated conductive layer of the second return electrode on the secondopposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member mirrors atleast a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the first activeelectrode on the first opposite planar side of the non-conductive planarmember and at least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of thesecond active electrode on the second opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member mirrors at least a portion of the elongatedconductive layer of the first return electrode on the first oppositeplanar side of the non-conductive planar member.
 9. An ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade comprising: a non-conductive planar member havingfirst and second opposite planar sides with opposing elongated edges, acutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end; a first active electrodecomprising a hook-shaped configuration located on the first oppositeplanar side of the non-conductive planar member; a first returnelectrode comprising a bar-shaped configuration wherein at least aportion of the first return electrode is positioned within thehook-shaped configuration of the first active electrode without touchingthe first active electrode; a second return electrode comprising ahook-shaped configuration located on the second opposite planar side ofthe non-conductive planar member; and a second active electrodecomprising a bar-shaped configuration wherein at least a portion of thesecond active electrode is positioned within the hook-shapedconfiguration of the second return electrode without touching the secondreturn electrode.
 10. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 9wherein the hook-shaped configuration of the first active electrode andthe hook-shaped configuration of the second return electrode are locatednear the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member.
 11. Theultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 9 wherein the non-conductiveplanar member comprises a ceramic.
 12. The ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade of claim 9 wherein the first and second active electrodes and thefirst and second return electrodes each comprise at least one of astainless steel, a copper, and a tungsten.
 13. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade of claim 9 wherein the first active electrodecomprises a hook-shaped conductive layer where at least a portion of thehook-shaped conductive layer extends to, and along a partial length of,the opposing elongated edges of the first opposite planar side of thenon-conductive planar member.
 14. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade ofclaim 13 wherein the first return electrode comprises a bar-shapedconductive layer where at least a portion of the bar-shaped conductivelayer extends to, and along a partial length of, one of the opposingelongated edges of the first opposite planar side of the non-conductiveplanar member.
 15. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 9wherein the second return electrode comprises a hook-shaped conductivelayer where at least a portion of the hook-shaped conductive layerextends to, and along a partial length of, the opposing elongated edgesof the second opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member.16. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 15 wherein the secondactive electrode comprises a bar-shaped conductive layer where at leasta portion of the bar-shaped conductive layer extends to, and along alength of, one of the opposing elongated edges of the second oppositeplanar side of the non-conductive planar member.
 17. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of thehook-shaped configuration of the first active electrode located on thefirst opposite planar side mirrors at least a portion of the hook-shapedconfiguration of the second return electrode located on the secondopposite planar side and at least a portion of the bar-shapedconfiguration of the first return electrode located on the firstopposite planar side mirrors at least a portion of the bar-shapedconfiguration of the second active electrode located on the secondopposite planar side.
 18. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of claim 9wherein a portion of the first and second active electrodes and aportion of the first and second return electrodes extend to the oppositenon-cutting end of the non-conductive planar member.
 19. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade of claim 9 further comprising a first conductiveinsert member in communication with the first active electrode andsecond active electrode located near the opposite non-cutting end of thenon-conductive planar member and a second conductive insert member incommunication with the first return electrode and the second returnelectrode located near the opposite non-cutting end of thenon-conductive planar member.
 20. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade ofclaim 19 wherein the first and second conductive inserts each comprise ametal contact member comprising at least one of a brass and a copper.21. An ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil comprising: a handpiece having afirst end and a second end; an electrosurgery blade positioned withinthe first end of the handpiece wherein said electrosurgery bladecomprises: a non-conductive planar member having first and secondopposite planar sides, a cutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end; afirst active electrode and a first return electrode each located on thefirst opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member whereinat least a portion of the first opposite planar side is exposed near thecutting end; and a second active electrode and a second return electrodeeach located on the second opposite planar side of the non-conductiveplanar member wherein at least a portion of the second opposite planarside is exposed near the cutting end.
 22. The ultrapolar electrosurgeryhandpiece of claim 21 wherein the handpiece further comprises a smokeevacuation channel contained therein.
 23. The ultrapolar electrosurgeryhandpiece of claim 21 wherein the handpiece comprises at least oneactivation button for cutting and at least one activation button forcoagulation.